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C H I N M A Y A M I S S I O N O T T A W A

Nityam …..Eternal

A p r i l 2 0 1 7 UPCOMING EVENTS

Swami Bodhatmananda’s yagna 27-29 Apr. (page 7)

Sangeet 2017 Jugalbandi 14 May 3PM (page 8)

Annual Open House 28 May Bala Vihar Summer Camp 10-21 July (page 8)

The Goddess of Wisdom is called Sri Sarasvati - She who gives the essence (sāra) of our own self (sva). Sri Sarasvati Devi leads us to the end of our slavery, to the end of all passions and desires.

May the blessings of Sri Sarasvati be ever on our hearts, lips, and pens.

- Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda

नमस्त ेशारदे देवी काश्मीरपरुवासिनन ǀ

त्वामहं प्रार्थये ननत्य ंववद्यादान ंच देहह मे ǁ

namaste sārade devī kāśmīra pura vāsini ǀ

tvām aham prārthaye nityam vidyā dānam ca dehi me ǁ

Salutations to Devi Sharada, who resides in the abode of Kashmir. I pray to you always to please

bestow on me the gift of Knowledge.

Hari Om Dear Friends!

With our loving Pranams to Pujya Guruji and Mukhya Swami Swaroopanandaji, we are happy to

announce the launch of an exciting project to build a Shrine for Goddess Sarasvati at our Center. This is a unique

opportunity to install a Sarasvati Peetam (Seat of Learning) in the Nation’s Capital, to promote the study of our

sacred Hindu scriptures along with the practise of Bhakti, Gyana and Karma. Vayu Pratishta (not Prana Pratishta),

is the current plan for the Murti Stapana; Worship will be offered to Maa Sarasvati regularly.

This Special Edition Nityam gives details about the different phases and timelines of the Sarasvati Shrine

project as well as associated fund-raising efforts. With the grace of Goddess Sarasvati and Pujya Gurudev, and

with your support, we look forward to welcoming Mata Sarasvati by the end of this year. Thank you. Hari Om!

Swami Swaroopananda Welcomed as the New Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide

Chinmaya Bharati to Launch Sarasvati Shrine Project

Launch of Sarasvati Shrine Project

Guru Paduka Puja 29 Apr. 6 PM Sarasvati Puja 14 May 9 AM

IN THIS ISSUE

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Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji's Handover Ceremony - 19 January 2017

An unforgettable day for the Chinmaya Family, as Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji passed the "Guru Seva Padak" (baton) to Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji, of being Global Head of Chinmaya Mission.

The audience at the Tapovan Hall of Sandeepany Sadhanalaya (Mumbai) was made up of Acharyas, Devotees and Well-Wishers, and thousands more watched the webcast from around the world. It was especially heartwarming to have the family members of Guruji and Swamiji present.

The highlight of the event was a most touching docu-film called "Ever In His Service, Ever At His Feet", beautifully presenting Guruji's deep and absolute tuning with beloved Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji. In his talk, Guruji said, "Let us be always in His Service, remaining always at His feet. There lies our welfare and wellbeing."

Swami Swaroopanandaji's words overflowed with poignancy. Swamiji's talk, about the grace and guidance of Gurudev and Guruji, moved everyone in the audience. His faith and surrender were very evident. When he said that Guruji is not stepping down but rather "stepping up" the audience was in raptures.

Swamiji presented his Hanumanji, his Guruji, with a beautiful Rama Parivar statue, after which the trustees of CCMT, TCT and CST Mumbai presented many offerings of love, the best of the lot being a giant cheque for infinite amount of Love, Love, Love.

From the entire Chinmaya Mission family, today and always, to Gurudev, Guruji and Swamiji, we offer an outpouring of the same: Love, Love, Love…

(taken from Pujya Guruji’s Facebook Page)

Offering of

Gratitude to

Pujya Guruji

Welcome to

Mukhya Swami

Swaroopananda Passing the Guru Seva Padak (baton)

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If we want to realize our dreams,

we have to stay awake.

-Swami Tejomayananda

Pujya Gurudev explains: “Goddess Sarasvati holds the veena and sings the enchanting melody of Truth as contained in the book of Upanishads (Shruti), as experienced by Her in Her own bosom. She represents not merely a man of realization in samadhi, but a true guru, who plays his knowledge upon the heartstrings of his disciples. She gathers the instrument, tunes up its strings properly, and starts singing. Soon, the wafting music enchants others to approach Her feet to learn this music and to produce the same celestial melody by themselves.”

APR

First announcementNityam Special Edition

MAY JULJUN AUG OCTSEP NOV

Apr. 29th: Paduka Puja by Chinmaya Bharati community

Start of Likhita japa

May 14th: Sarasvati Puja by Chinmaya Bharati community

May 28th: Chinmaya BharatiOpen House

Sponsorship Blitz

Finish and submitLikhita japa

Jul. 10-21: Bala Vihar Camp

Construction Begins

Aug. 25 - Sep. 5 : Ganesh Pooja on New Peetam

Sep. 21-29: Navratri Golu

Stapana Day Planning

Stapana Event

Chinmaya BharatiAmazing Race

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Guru Paduka Puja will be performed to invoke the Grace of Pujya Gurudev

to begin the Sarasvati Shrine Project. The Puja and launch will be presided over by Swami Bodhatmananda.

All are requested to be an integral part of this project from its beginning which is marked by this special Guru Paduka Puja. Those who have Om Lamps are requested to bring it for the

Puja. Additional OM lamps can be obtained for $101.00.

Please contact Bina Sutarwala to take part in this Puja at 613-591-5961 or at hariombina@gmail.com

Please come one and all! Let us join hands together as a team from the launch to the grand finale of the Sarasvati Shrine Project!

Guru Paduka Puja

Saturday

29 April

6:00 PM

SANGEET 2017 Jugalbandi 14 May 3:00 PM by Padma Bhushan Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Maestro Shashank Subramanyam

at Algonquin Theater, Building E, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa. Chinmaya Bharati is happy to co-sponsor the Sangeet 2017 Program. Premium seating has been reserved for

Chinmaya Bharati members and supporters. Please contact Gita Parekh for tickets at (613) 738-7466. Please see details of the Program on Page 8.

Sarasvati Puja on Mother’s Day Sunday 9:00 AM, 14 May 2017

Samashti Puja will be performed by all to invoke the grace of Maa Sarasvati, as we embark the Shrine Project.

Following this, the Sarasvati Puja Vidhi will be shared with all, and everyone will be requested to ‘sponsor’ Sarasvati puja either at the Center or at their home in the upcoming months.

Every Sarasvati Puja done with utmost devotion and reverence is a means to fill ourselves and our home or the Center with divine energy.

There are plans to conduct satellite pujas at nearby cities as well. Your support and participation in this endeavour is very much appreciated.

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Offering Likhita Japa to the Foundation of the Sarasvati Altar

Likhita Japa is a powerful spiritual practice that involves writing a Mantra repeatedly a particular number of times daily. This brings focus and peace to the heart and mind. It is done with good posture, concentration, and devotion. While writing, the mantra is mentally chanted visualizing the image of the Lord. Divine energy is said to flow into the person and to the written words.

All members including children are requested to commit to Likhita Japa of Devi Nama. A suggested mantra is Om Sarasvatyai Namaha. The Mantra can be written 11 times daily by every family member in an exercise note book at home and can be submitted to the Center by the middle of July at the latest.

The written mantras will be placed as an offering with love in the foundation of the Sarasvati Shrine, when construction of the altar begins.

Construction of the Sarasvati Shrine

The picture on the right provides an idea of the

proposed Sarasvati Shrine. Once the plan is

sanctioned by the City of Ottawa, construction

will take place in July/August.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in time

for Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesh Stapana will take

place on the newly constructed peetam.

An Altar in Life Alters our Life.

-Swami Tejomayananda

A hamsa (a sacred bird) is seen at the feet of Maa Sarasvati. When offered a mixture of milk and water, the hamsa is said to drink the milk alone (and not the water). It thus symbolizes perfect discrimination between good and bad and also the permanent vs. the transient. Great souls with such wisdom are called Parama Hamsas.

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Sarasvati Murti Installation

The final phase of the project is the Stapana or the installation of the

Sarasvati Murti (ordered from India) at the newly constructed altar.

The Murti Stapana is scheduled in November 2017.

The date and details will be announced later.

The Vayu Pratishta of Sarasvati Murti will be performed by a priest in

accordance with our Hindu Shastras. This will include various rituals such as

Abhishekam, Vayu Puja, Danam (Vastram, Annam, etc.) and Guru Dakshina.

The Sarasvati Murti Stapana is, in essence, a Grand Welcome to Maa

Sarasvati to come and reside in our Center and in our hearts, and be the

Guiding Light for all of us in the community.

Chinmaya Mission Ottawa cordially invites every family to be

part of this grand celebration and receive the blessings from

Goddess Sarasvati.

Sarasvati Shrine Project Sponsorship Opportunity

The collective efforts of all the supporters, and their shared vision, have made Chinmaya Bharati a beautiful Center for learning the Art of Living according to the Hindu values of Sanatana Dharma. A Shrine for Maa Sarasvati is a new leap in Chinmaya Bharati’s growth to foster the spirit of worship and devotion.

Your charitable support in any amount towards fundraising efforts for the Sarasvati Shrine Project is very much appreciated, as every dollar donated makes a huge difference. Thank you very much in advance for your valuable contribution.

Devotees are requested to sponsor and participate as Yajamans for the Sarasvati Murti Installation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take active part in one or more Ceremonial Activities of the Murti Stapana.

The sponsorship options are:

Silver ($ 500) Gold ($ 1000) Platinum ($ 5000) Diamond ($ 8000)

The number of Pooja participation slots available are limited.

Please contact the following to become a sponsor at your earliest convenience.

Shailesh Sutarwala 613-591-5961 hariomss@gmail.com

Anil Parekh 613-738-7466 anil.parekh@canada.ca

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Dassehra (Vijaya Dasami) is celebrated on the tenth day of

the Navarathri Puja by the burning of the effigy of our

lower negative qualities. This day is also called the Day-of-

Enlightenment (Vidyārambha, the start or awakening of

Knowledge). Children start school or arts classes on this

auspicious day dedicated to Mother Sarasvati.

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Please contact Gita Parekh for tickets at (613) 738-7466.

In India it is customary that any book or written material is considered to be a tangible

manifestation of Goddess Sarasvati. If a person's foot accidentally touches any book , it will be followed by a gesture of apology, out of respect for the knowledge contained within, by first touching the book and then touching the

forehead or the heart, as Pranams.

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Drench the world with the colours of your love! Let no one be spared. Enchant them all as you break down barriers,

laughing, singing and dancing your way through. The blue boy of Brindaban rejoices in this Oneness.

-Swami Swaroopananda

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Chinmaya Mission Ottawa

1088 Ogilvie Road

Ottawa, Ontario, K1J 7P8

Phone: 613-749-3399

Email : Chinmaya.Ottawa@gmail.com

Website : www.ChinmayaOttawa.com

Our mission is to provide to

individuals from any background,

the wisdom of Vedanta and the

practical means for spiritual

growth and happiness, enabling

them to become positive

contributors to society. Om Shri Chinmaya

Sadgurave Namaha

Weekly Activities at Chinmaya Bharati * Sundays 10:15 a.m. – Sunday Program is a comprehensive, family-oriented program of classes that teaches the ‘art of living’ concepts of Vedanta to students ages 3 and up.

* Tuesdays 7:30 PM - Devi Group class for ladies. Please contact Bina Sutarwala at 613-591-5961 for more information (satellite class).

* Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. These classes feature a comprehensive study of the Bhagavad Gita, synthesizing teachings of Swami Chinmayananda through videos, reading and discussions.

* Thursdays at 6:00 PM. Yoga exercises and introductory pranayama class. Please bring a yoga mat / towel.

* Thursdays at 7:30 PM. Purusha Sooktam class - Thursdays, starting May 4th

* Fridays 7:30 pm. "Om in Every Home" Paduka Puja to invoke Sri Gurudev's blessings at Chinmaya Bharati or your home.

For more information, please call Shalini Sahni, CMO Secretary, at (613) 715-9776 . Thank you.